He glanced at the screen. “Jaglom.”
I grimaced. That was not the answer I’d expected to hear. For the past few hours, I’d managed to forget we were still embroiled in the throes of a vicious murder spree, still searching for a flash drive that too many people seemed ready to kill for.
And suddenly I remembered that Galina was free and Robin was in danger. Goose bumps covered my skin and I was chilled to the bone.
Time slowed as I watched Derek run his hand through his thick, dark hair in frustration. He said very little, leaving me to wonder what in the world Inspector Jaglom was telling him.
Derek ended the brief call. “They tracked down Galina again.”
“Good,” I said, encouraged by the news. “I hope they threw her back in jail.”
“No. Unfortunately, they found her dead.”
Chapter 17
“At least I wasn’t the one who found the body this time,” I muttered, then wanted to swallow my tongue. I rubbed my face in disgust. “That was a self-centered, awful thing to say, wasn’t it?”
Derek slipped his hand around my neck and pulled me close. “Understandable, though, love. Don’t beat yourself up about it.”
“But a woman is dead, and that’s terrible. And we’re no closer to the truth than we were a week ago.” I buried my face in his shoulder briefly, then looked up at him. “But I’m still glad I didn’t find her body.”
“You do have an odd habit of attracting police attention, so it’s perfectly natural that you’d be relieved in this case.”
“I’m just tired,” I said, enjoying the feel of his soft sweater against my skin.
“You ladies were up late last night.”
“Sergio was regaling us with restaurant horror stories.”
“Did Shiva enjoy herself?”
“I think she did.” I was grateful for the change of subject. “She and Vinnie hit it off, which I knew they would. And Robin kept interrupting her whenever she tried to launch into one of her fabulous stories.”
“Why?”
“Because Robin thinks Shiva is a narcissist. She brings everything back to herself. Robin’s heard all the stories and didn’t want her to be the only center of attention. It’s an ongoing mother-daughter thing for them.”
Derek nodded. “I suppose that’s somewhat normal, but was it uncomfortable for you?”
“Not at all,” I said. “Shiva was on her best behavior and even made a little joke of it. And she was captivated by my workshop, so that was fun. She wanted to see inside every cabinet and kept marveling about how well organized everything was. Wanted to know every aspect of how I’d taken the Kama Sutra apart, which was a little weird. I never like to reveal that stuff to anyone. We must’ve spent an hour in the workshop. Sergio and everyone finally went home and Robin dozed on the couch until Shiva was ready to leave.”
His eyes narrowed. “It’s nice that she took such an interest.”
“It was. To be honest, I was surprised that Shiva came with Robin in the first place. They have never been close.”
“You said she was somewhat neglectful of Robin while you were growing up. Perhaps she’s making up for lost time.”
“Maybe. I think the attack on Robin really shook up Shiva.”
“Yes,” he said. “It must’ve shaken her badly for her to leave her home in India and come all the way back here.”
I studied him carefully. “You almost sound sarcastic.”
“Me?”
“Yes. I don’t like that look on your face.”
He gave me a twisted smile. “I’m sorry, darling, but it’s the only face I’ve got.”
“And it’s a very pretty face,” I said, patting his cheek. “But the expression on it has me curious.”
“You mean this one?” He made an exaggerated frown that added lots of wrinkles to his forehead.
“Yes, that one,” I said, laughing again. “What was that for?”
He merely smiled.
“Wait. Now I get it. You don’t trust Shiva?”
He held up both hands in a gesture that indicated he was weighing all the facts.
“What are you thinking?” I asked.
“We’ve been assuming that Rajiv has all the answers, but Shiva had a hand in this, too.” He considered for a moment, then said, “She gave the book to Robin, packed inside that satchel, right? Can you show it to me again?”
“Sure.” He followed me out to my workshop, where I opened the cupboard and pulled out the bag I’d stashed there.
We sat at the worktable as Derek searched every inch of the leather satchel again, running his hand carefully along the long strap and delving into the outer pocket. As he turned the bag inside out, he said, “Tell me again about the night Robin came to see you with the Kama Sutra.”
“Again?”